Quantification of Measurement and Model Effects in Monopile Foundation Scour Protection Experiments

The present work introduces an analysis of the measurement and model effects that exist in monopile scour protection experiments with repeated small scale tests. The damage erosion is calculated using the three dimensional global damage number S3D and subarea damage number S3D,i. Results show that the standard deviation of the global damage number σ(S3D)=0.257 and is approximately 20% of the mean S3D, and the standard deviation of the subarea damage number σ(S3D,i)=0.42 which can be up to 33% of the mean S3D. The irreproducible maximum wave height, chaotic flow field and non-repeatable armour layer construction are regarded as the main reasons for the occurrence of strong model effects. The measurement effects are limited to σ(S3D)=0.039 and σ(S3D,i)=0.083, which are minor compared to the model effects.

Gains in Genetic Enhancement of Early Maturing Maize Hybrids Developed during Three Breeding Periods under Striga-Infested and Striga-Free Environments

Striga hermonthica is a major maize production constraint in West and Central Africa (WCA). Fifty-four early maturing maize hybrids of three breeding periods: 2008–2011, 2012–2013, 2014–2015, were evaluated under Striga-infested and non-infested environments in WCA. The study aimed at assessing genetic improvement in grain yield of the hybrids, identifying traits associated with yield gain during the breeding periods, and grain yield and stability of the hybrids in Striga infested and non-infested environments. Annual increase in grain yield of 101 kg ha−1 (4.82 %) and 61 kg ha−1 (1.24%) were recorded in Striga-infested and non-infested environments, respectively. The gains in grain yield from period 1 to period 3 under Striga-infested environments were associated with reduced anthesis-silking interval, reduced Striga damage, number of emerged Striga plants, improved ear aspect, and increased ears per plant. Ear aspect, ears per plant, and Striga damage at 8 and 10 weeks after planting (WAP) were significantly correlated with yield in Striga-infested environments, whereas ears per plant and plant and ear aspects had significant correlations with yield in non-infested environments. Hybrids TZdEI 352 × TZEI 355, TZdEI 378 × TZdEI 173, and TZdEI 173 × TZdEI 352 were outstanding in grain yield and stability in Striga-infested environments, whereas TZEI 326 × TZdEI 352, TZEI 495 × ENT 13, and TZdEI 268 × TZdEI 131 were superior in non-stress environments. These hybrids should be further tested extensively and commercialized. Significant genetic gains have been made in breeding for resistance to Striga hermonthica in early maturing maize hybrids.

Universal Scaling Laws of Hydraulic Fracturing

Hydraulic fracturing has been studied by using dimensional analysis. The universal scaling law of the problem has been formulated. From this investigation, it has found that the key control variable in the process is total damage number $J=\frac{p+\frac{1}{2}\rho U^2}{\sigma_Y}$. The crack length is satisfied with the geometric similarity law if no response time is concerned, otherwise, it would not satisfy the similarity.

Effect of Novel Pyrrolo[3,4-d]pyridazinone Derivatives on Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Neuroinflammation

Neuroinflammation is considered to be one of the potential causes for the development of neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease. In this study, we evaluated the effect of four newly synthesized pyrrolo[3,4-d]pyridazinone derivatives on the neuron-like PC12 cells under simulated inflammation conditions by preincubation with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Our novel derivatives are selective cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors and have similar effects to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). We assessed viability (LDH assay), metabolic activity (MTT assay), DNA damage (number of double-strand breaks measured by fast halo assay), and the neuronal features of cells (average neurite length and neurite outgrowth measured spectrofluorimetrically). DCF-DA and Griess assays were also performed, which allowed determining the impact of the tested compounds on the level of oxygen free radicals and nitrites. LPS administration significantly negatively affected the results in all tests performed, and treatment with the tested derivatives in most cases significantly reduced this negative impact. Multiple-criteria decision analysis indicated that overall, the best results were observed for compounds 2a and 2b at a concentration of 10 µM. The new derivatives showed intense activity against free oxygen radicals and nitrites. Reduced reactive oxygen species level also correlated with a decrease in the number of DNA damage. The compounds improved neuronal features, such as neurite length and outgrowth, and they also increased cell viability and mitochondrial activity. Our results suggest that derivatives 2a and 2b may also act additionally on mechanisms other than 3a and 3b.

Hubungan antara Penyobekan Daun Secara Mekanik terhadap Serangan Penggulung Daun Pisang

<p>Mechanical control as an effort to reduce <em>Erionata thrax</em> attacks needs to develop of them was torning the leaves. The objective of this research was to determine the effect of leaf torning on the intensity of the damage and determine the level of <em>E</em><em>.</em><em> thrax</em> attack damage in various cultivars. This research was conducted in Semarang, Central Java from September-December 2018. This research used a field experiment method with four treatments of tearing distance of 0 cm, 20 cm, 30 cm, and 40 cm in four banana cultivars, namely Mas Kirana, Ambon, Kepok, and Raja Bulu. The result showed that leaf damage was related to torning distance, but not to the cultivars. The value of regression between torning distance and leaf damage was very low. The torning distance of 40 cm had the highest leaf damage, number of larvae populations, and number of leaf rolls. The torning distance of 20 cm reduced the leaf damage, the number of larvae populations and the number of rolls. The lowest leaf damage is in Mas Kirana cultivar and the highest leaf damage is in Raja Bulu cultivars. Raja Bulu cultivar had the highest attack intensity.</p>

Probabilistic Comparison of Static and Dynamic Failure Criteria of Scour Protections

The present paper provides a reliability assessment of scour protections applicable to both the static and dynamic stability design. As a case study, Horns Rev 3 hindcast data is used to simulate different failure criteria for an exemplary scour protection suitable for an offshore monopile foundation. The results show that the probability of failure is influenced by several factors, namely the wave friction factor, the definition of the acceptable damage number or the formulations used to calculate the bed shear-stress. The reliability assessment also indicates that annual probabilities of failure, associated to each criterion, might be comparable with the values presented in reliability standards for marine structures. Based on the results, this paper highlights future recommendations to improve the reliability-based design and analysis of scour protections for offshore foundations.

Analysis of Disaster Psychiatric Assistant Team Activity During the Past Four Disasters in Japan

Introduction:The Disaster Psychiatric Assistant Team (DPAT) is Japan’s original mental health care dispatched team during disasters. Established in 2013, this team has been involved in the response to many disaster-related mental issues.Aim:We Aimed to evaluate the DPAT activity in response to the past 4 disasters (Ontake volcano, Hiroshima flood, Joso flood, and Kumamoto earthquake), using the disaster mental health information support system (DMHISS).Methods:DMHISS data from the four disasters was extracted. Descriptive statistics were performed from the obtained dataset and the characteristics of the disaster victims from each disaster were compared and examined.Results:About 2,400 cases were obtained and tabulated to from the database. Based on descriptive statistics, the DPAT support objectives, activities and activity periods Aim to establish (1) the characteristics of the affected areas (population composition, psychiatric medical condition), (2) the scale and content of the disaster (the injured, building damage, number of evacuees), and (3) the activity ability. The number of counseling cases peaked several days after the disaster onset, and the importance of the DPAT activity during the acute phase was confirmed. The time course of the consultation number, which is a measure of the termination, could be predicted from the disaster scale and content. These results suggest that DPAT activity may be a guideline for local disasters for one month and for wide-reaching disasters for two months or longer.Discussion:It is suggested that the timing of activity and the termination period could be estimated from factors including the type of disaster, the size of the disaster, and the number of evacuees using the disaster mental health medical activities from four disasters. It should be considered necessary to accumulate data and examine indicators related to the DPAT activity.

Critical Impact Yaw for Long-Rod Penetrators

This paper presents an improved model for the critical impact yaw (or simply the critical yaw) in long-rod penetration with considering the deceleration and rotation of the rod and the crater shape of the target. Two critical yaws, θc1 and θc2, under normal impact were identified, below which there is no contact between the rod and crater sidewall (for θc1) and between the rod and the crater entrance (for θc2) during the entire penetration process. Contact functions and iterative algorithms were proposed in order to obtain these two critical yaws numerically. The influences of four dominant nondimensional numbers (i.e., the ratio of the target resistance to the rod strength λ, Johnson's damage number of the rod ς, square root of the target–projectile density ratio μ, and the diameter–length ratio of the rod ψ) on two critical yaws were studied for three typical rod–target systems (tungsten alloy rods penetrating steel targets, steel rods penetrating aluminum alloy targets, and steel rods penetrating steel targets). The relationship between two critical yaw angles was also discussed. A new empirical formula for the critical yaw θc2 was proposed based on the parametric study results and dominant nondimensional numbers, which extends the valid application range of the existing empirical formula.

Study on Spare Part Requirement Prediction Model of Aircraft Battle Damage Assessment and Repair Based on Layer Analysis Method

The necessity and actuality of spare part requirement prediction on aircraft battle damage assessment and repair were analysised. The calculation models, such as the quantity of the battle damage aircraft, the battle damage number of aircraft component, the equipment of aircraft battle damage assessment and repair, were set up. They could provide the reference and basis for constituting the advance project of aircraft battle damage assessment and repair and for repair guarantee.